Enclosed drive for looms



May 7, 1968 T. s. HIGGINS ENCLOSED DRIVE FOR LOOMS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR THEODORE S HIGGINS ATTORNEY File'd Oct. 10, 1966 May 7, 1968 T. s. HIGGINS ENCLOSED DRIVE FOR LOOMS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 10, 1966 INVENTOR. THEODORE SHleelms QMQW ATTORNEY May 7, 1968 T. s. HIGGINS ENCLOSED DRIVE FOR LOOMS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 10, 1966 "hr la ATTORNEY May 7, 1968 T. s. HIGGINS ENCLOSED DRIVE FOR LOOMS 5 Sheets-$heet 4 Filed Oct. 10, 1966 INVENTOR. THEODORE S.HIGGH\JS BY W ATTORNEY y 1968 T. s. HIGGINS 3,381,720

ENCLOSED DRIVE FOR LOOMS Filed Oct. 10. 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 JNVE 0R. THEODORE 5. GGINS I am am ATTORNEY United States Patent Trust Filed Oct. 10, 1966, Ser. No. 585,493 4 Claims. (Cl. 139122) This invention relates to an improvement in looms of the shuttleless type, and more particularly to an improved drive mechanism for such looms.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a totally enclosed tape wheel drive for shuttleless looms.

A further object is that of devising a drive mechanism in which noise, wear and need for adjustments are all kept at a minimum.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a loom drive in which the major components of the mechanism are totally enclosed and free from association with foreign matter detrimental to the life expectancy of said components.

Another object of the invention is to subject many of the driving components to continuous lubrication by providing a fluid lubricant reservoir and pumping means within that member which encloses said components.

A still further object is that of minimizing the chances of possible injury to weave room personnel by totally enclosing the major driving elements of a loom.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following more detailed disclosure.

Shuttleless looms of the type to which the instant invention is applicable insert filling by means of flexible inserters that are attached to wheel-like members which are caused to oscillate to and fro in unison. These wheellike members are commonly referred to as tape wheels and as shown and described in US. Patents 2,641,285 and 2,888,956 each loom has two such wheels disposed at the sides of a 100m and in alignment one with the other. One flexible inserter is attached to the outer periphery of each tape wheel and as the wheels are caused to oscillate to and fro the flexible inserters are first wrapped about said wheels and then unwrapped from the latter to project into the sheds formed by warp threads. The flexible inserters or so-called tapes are provided on their free ends with carrier elements by which picks of filling may be drawn from a supply at the side of the loom and inserted first as a loop pushed part way through the shed which is then taken by the opposite carrier and a released end of the loop is drawn through to the opposite side.

The tape wheels may be oscillated by various forms of driving means; however a more commonly used form is that shown and described in US. Patent 2,888,956 which utilizes spur gears and a cooperating rack driven by eccentric means from any suitable source of rotary motion provided by the looms main source of power,

Prior to the instant invention the driving means for shuttleless loom tape wheels has been of the open type, that is to say, the major components have been exposed which allows the accumulation of lint and fly common in most weave rooms as well as other foreign matter and objects that would be detrimental to the various driving components.

Another problem which confronts weavers with drives of the open type is that of proper lubrication which is a periodic must for satisfactory running conditions. Toomuch or too little lubricant on the driving elements presents a very serious condition, for excess lubricant will be thrown olf oftentimes soiling the newly formed fabric. Too little lubricant would produce an obvious result of parts wearing and the subsequent loom down time for needed repairs.

The device according to the instant invention provides a tape wheel drive for shuttleless looms that is totally enclosed, which maintains said drive free from association with all types of foreign matter. The meansfor enclosing this drive is in the form of a housing which surrounds the driving elements and it includes an oil reservoir in the lower portion thereof.

The ends of the looms cam shaft extend into the housings which are disposed at each side of the loom and are provided with crank members having pitmans interconnected with racks. The racks are caused to reciprocate vertically and by means of cooperating gear elements the tape wheels are oscillated through the required number of degrees to effect the required movement of the flexible inserters.

A pumping means for distributing oil in the reservoir to the various driving elements is provided within each housing and is in the form of a ball-check type of pump. These pumps function in cooperation with the racks in each housing by permitting oil to be received within the pumps on the upward stroke of the racks and then force the oil outwardly therefrom on the downward travel of said racks. The oil is forced from the pumps at a point adjacent the top of each housing and is so disposed as to lubricate the various driving elements as it flows downwardly to return to the reservoir.

The invention will be described in greater detail by reference to a specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying figures of drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of the enclosed tape wheel drive according to the invention showing by means of dotted lines a portion of the oil pumping means for distribution lubricant to the various driving elements;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 and partially in section with a large amount of the housing omitted showing the various driving elements contained therein;

FIG. 3 is a view as seen looking from the front of a loom of the tape Wheel drive shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a view in elevation and partially in section of the rack member showing the cooperating ball-check type pump for the distribution of lubricant contained in the reservoir;

FIG. 5 is a view in front elevation and partially in section of the various driving elements contained within the housing and showing their position relative to the other parts of a loom on the right-hand side thereof;

FIG. 6 is a view in side elevation and partially in section of the means for longitudinal adjustment of the tape wheel shaft and the locking means for maintaining a desired setting of said shaft;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the lefthand side of a loom as seen looking from the back thereof showing the enclosed tape wheel drive according to the invention as applied to that side of the loom; and

FIG. 8 is a view in side elevation and partially in section showing the left-hand crank and a portion of the pitman for actuating the left-hand rack.

As the general construction and operation of this type of loom is well known and familiar to those conversant with the art, and as the invention is entirely concerned with an enclosed tape wheel drive and automatic lubrication for the various components thereof, it is only considered necessary here to illustrate and describe those 7 parts of a loom directly concerned with a preferred form A driven shaft or so-called cam shaft 12 extends between the loom frames and 11 with the ends thereof extending outwardly beyond said frames and into the housings which form a part of the present invention and which will be more fully described hereinafter.

The means for effecting rotation of the cam shaft 11 is shown and described in US. patent application No. 563,401, filed July 7, 1966, and includes a loom motor the outline of which is shown in FIG. 5 and identified by numeral 13. The motor includes the usual shaft 14 to which a pinion 15 is fixedly assembled. The pinion 15 is in meshing relation with a transmitter gear 16 the latter of which is fixed on the cam shaft 12. This pinion and transmitter gear are enclosed by means of a housing 17 which includes an oil reservoir for positive and constant lubrication of these gears.

The enclosed gear housing forming a part of the instant invention is depicted generally in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 by numeral 18 and in FIG. 7 the left-hand housing is identified generally by numeral 19. Since the right and lefthand housings are basically the same and serve the same purpose it is only considered necessary to describe and identify the various parts of one of the housings. Reference hereinafter will be directed to the right-hand housing 18. This housing is fabricated from three principal parts which include a lower or reservoir section 20, an upper or cap portion 21 and an intermediate section 22 (FIGS. 1 and 3).

The reservoir section is provided with an oil drain plug 23 and two removable plate members 24 and 25 for gaining access to this section and which are assembled to the latter by means of a plurality of cap screws 26 and 27, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper portion of the reservoir section is flanged as at 28 and is adapted to assemble in sealed and abutting relation with a mating flange 29 provided on the lower end of the intermediate section 22 by means of cap screws 30.

The cap portion 21 attaches to the upper end of the intermediate section by means of cap screws 31 (FIGS. 1 and 3) and includes a cylindrical cover 32. This cover is attached to the cap portion by means of cap screws 33 (FIG. 1) and provides internal clearance for the reciprocating rack which will be identified and more fully described hereinafter.

The intermediate section 22 is provided on the rear side thereof with a removable plate member 34 which assembles to said section by means of cap screws 35 (FIGS. 1 and 2). This plate member provides a means for making the tape wheel shaft adjustment feature accessible which hereinafter will also be identified and. more fully described.

The forward side of the intermediate section is in the form of a lipped flange 36 (FIG. 1) and provides a means for supporting the entire housing 18.

A housing support generally indicated by numeral 37 (FIGS. 1 and 2) having an integrally formed and laterally extending support bracket 38 is fixedly attached to the loomside 10 by any suitable means such as bolts 39 and 40 (the heads only of these bolts being shown in FIG. 3). This housing support is provided with a pair of parallel flanges 41 and 42 disposed in spaced relation which are interconnected by a cylindrical web 43 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Flange 42 has a configuration like that of the lipped flange 36 provided on the intermediate section 22 of the housing 18 and in assembly the two flanges are maintained in sealed and abutting relation by a plurality of cap screws 44 (FIG. 1).

The forward flange 41 of the housing support as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a plurality of tapped holes 45 disposed radially in spaced relation about the flange. These holes provide a means for supporting a tape wheel housing 46 and its cover 47 by means of cap screws 48 which extend through aligned holes in said housing 46 and with the threaded portions thereof being received into the tapped holes 45. The tape wheel housing 46 is generally circular as shown in FIG. 3 and includes a pair of integrally formed circular ribs within the outer periphery thereof which are disposed in off-center relationship rel ative to the outer periphery of said housing.

The inner or smaller of these circular ribs is identified by numeral 49 and the larger one adjacent thereto by numeral 50. The circular rib 50 includes those holes through which cap screws 48 extend for attaching the tape wheel housing to the housing support 37. The tape wheel housing also includes a depending lug element 51 (FIG. 3) to which one end of a supporting arm 52 attaches by means of a bolt 53. The opposite end of this arm attaches in a similar manner to the lower side of the loom frame 10 thereby providing additional support and rigidity for the various elements of the tape wheel drive.

The inner circular rib 49 provided in the tape wheel housing 46 includes a plurality of equally spaced holes 54 (FIGS. 1 and 2) through which the shank portions of cap screws 55 are adapted to extend. The threaded portion of these cap screws are assembled in threaded holes 56 provided in a forward circular flange 57 which forms an integral part of a drive support bracket generally indicated in FIGS. 2 and 5 by numeral 58.

This drive support bracket extends into the confines of the housing 18 and servesto support a number of the driving elements to be identified and described.

That part of the drive support bracket forming the forward portion thereof and which is disposed inwardly of the circular flange 57 is provided with a pair of generally vertically aligned openings, the upper of which is depicted by numeral 59 and the lower by numeral 60 (FIG. 2). Opening 59 is in axial alignment with and spaced from a hub element 61 having a hole 62 therethrough. This hub element is interconnected with the forward portion of the drive support bracket by a semicircular web 63 which extends above the space intermediate said hub element and opening 59 (FIG. 2). Hub element 61 includes an integrally formed arm 64 which extends upwardly therefrom in a plane normal to the axis of hole 62. This arm includes laterally extending rib members 65 and 66 at the sides thereof which blend with a laterally extending hub 67 which forms the upper terminus portion of said arm.

Rib 65 extends from hub 67 to blend with the hub element 61 while rib 66 extends below said hub element to blend with an integrally formed lug 68 depending from the latter (FIG. 2). Lug 68 includes a hole 69 which is in axial alignment with the lower opening 60 provided in the forward portion of the drive support bracket. Opening 60 and hole 69 serve to support and fixedly position a shaft 70 which extends therebetween and which in turn supports a rotatable geared member which will be later identified and more fully described. 5

A further hub member 71 forms an integral part of the drive support bracket 58 and is disposed below the hub element 61. This hub member is in axial alignment with hub 67 and is interconnected with hub element 61 by means of a semi-circular web 72 which also blends with that side of the portion of bracket 58 which depends from the hub element 61 to support hub 68 (FIGS. 2 and 5).

Web 72 being disposed in the manner described above forms a recess 73 (FIG. 2) intermediate the hub member 71 and the hub element 61 to provide clearance for a geared member generally indicated by numeral '74. This geared member is supported for rotation on shaft 70 and includes an elongated hub portion 75 with axially aligned spur gears 76 and 77 forming the ends thereof (FIG. 2).

A portion of the outer diameter of spur gear 77 is within the recess 73 and is adapted to mesh with gear teeth 78 (FIGS. 2 and 5) provided on the lower portion of a rack 79. This rack is supported and guided to reciprocate longitudinally in a plane normal to the axis of the geared member 74 by extending through the upper and lower aligned hub members 67 and 71, respectively.

Spur gear 76 being disposed adjacent the forward portion of the drive support bracket is in mesh with a spur gear 80 which is positioned within the space intermediate the hub element 61 and opening 59 in said support bracket. This spur gear 80 is rotatably assembled on a tape wheel shaft 81 that extends through the hub element 61 in which it assembles with means for longitudinal adjustment thereof.

Opening 59 in the forward part of the drive support bracket is of a size to accommodate a cylindrical extension 82 of the spur gear 80 and by means of a roller bearing '83 cooperating therewith said spur gear can move with a minimum of resistance to oscillate the tape wheel 84 the required number of degrees to perform its known and intended function.

The tape wheel is assembled in a well known manner on the forward end of the tape wheel shaft 81 and to the cylindrical extension 82 of the spur gear by such elements as a nut 85, a combination radial and thrust hearing 86, cap screws 86' which pass through apertures in the hub of said wheel and assemble in tapped holes provided in said cylindrical extension. Additionally, the usual eccentric members generally indicated by numeral 87 are utilized to adjust and maintain the desired setting of the tape wheel (FIG. 2).

The means for longitudinal adjustment of the tape wheel shaft 81 is disposed at that end of said shaft opposite the tape wheel and as more clearly shown in FIG. 6

includes a rotatable adjusting screw '88 and a lock nut 89. A portion of screw 88 assembles in a centrally disposed and longitudinally extending tapped hole 90 provided within the end of the tape wheel shaft. A flanged collar 91 is fixedly attached to the screw 88 in a. manner whereby a portion of the collar fits into hole 62 and the flanged portion thereof is in contact with that part of the hub element 61 immediately adjacent to said hole. The flanged collar is caused to rotate with the adjusting screw 88, the latter of which includes a threaded necked portion 92 on which a washer 93 and lock nut 89 are adapted to assemble.

A cap member 95 holds the flanged portion of collar 91 in close proximity with the end of the hub element 61 by means of screws 96 (one only shown in FIG. 6) and by simply turning the adjusting screw in one direction or the other tape wheel shaft is caused to move longitudinally in the direction desired. The means for maintaining proper longitudinal adjustment of the tape wheel shaft includes a slidable pin member 97 (FIG. 6) which is longitudinally movable in a plane normal to the axis of said tape wheel shaft 81. The tape wheel shaft includes an elongated recess 98 (FIGS. 2 and 6) into which the pin member is pressed to engage and maintain the desired position of the shaft.

The means by which pin member 97 is caused to be moved into contact with the tape wheel shaft is accomplished by a second pin 99 having a wedge shaped tip portion 100. This tip portion is adapted to cooperate with a V-groove 101 provided in the pin member 97 and is slightly larger than said wedge shaped tip portion 100.

The second pin member 99 is disposed in a plane normal to the axis of pin 97 and bein movable longitudinally by a screw 102, it forces the end of said pin 97 into abutting relation with the tape wheel shaft, when attempting to seat the tip portion 100 in V-groove 101. A-

lock nut 103 is provided on screw 102 and serves as a means for maintaining this adjustment.

The means for reciprocating the rack 79 is more or less of conventional design and includes a pitman 104 (FIG. 5), one end of which is pivotably connected to a pitman support bracket 105 that is fixedly attached to the rack 79 intermediate the hub. members 67 and 71 provided on the drive support bracket 58.

The opposite end of this pitman is attached by means of a pin 106 and nut 107 to a crank 108 which in turn 6 is fixedly attached to the end of cam shaft 12 that extends into the confines of the enclosed gear housing '18.

FIG. 8 shows the pitman and crank member utilized within the enclosed housing on the left-hand side of loom and these members are identified by corresponding numbers with the addition of a prime. A portion of the enclosed left-hand housing is shown in this figure of drawing and is depicted generally 'by numeral 19.

FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 show the means utilized for distributing the oil contained within the reservoir section 20 of the housing 18 to the various driving elements within said housing. As shown in FIG. 4 this means is in the form of a ball check pump which includes a tubular member 109. The lower end of the tubular member is threaded and is adapted to assemble in the upper end of the pumps base portion that is depicted generally by numeral 110. A lock nut 111 provides the means for fixedly attaching the tubular member 109 to the base portion 110. This base portion includes an oil inlet aperture 112 and cooperating therewith a vertically extending hole 113 which cooperates with a hole of larger diameter that is identified by numeral 114. Within hole 114 there is provided a ball check device which includes a coil spring 115 and a ball '116 which by means of said spring is continually being urged against the upper opening of the smaller hole '113. The upper end of the spring 115 is caused to bear against the lower threaded end of the tubular member 109. A greater portion of the length of the tubular member 109 extends within a longitudinal extending hole 117 provided in the rack 79 and the upper end of said tubular member is provided with a fixedly attached bushing 118. This bushing has a diameter which provides a sliding fit within the hole 117 as the rack is caused to reciprocate.

Hole 117 cooperates with a hole of larger diameter which is identified by numeral 119 in the upper portion of the rack and in continuation thereof cooperates with a still lar er hole that is identified by numeral 120. A ball check fitting 121 assemblies within hole and cooperates with hole 119 and by means of a ball 122 within said fitting oil from the reservoir is pumped upwardly and through hole 120 in a manner to be more fully described.

The base portion 1110 of the pump includes an anchor hole 123 and provides a means for attaching said base portion within the reservoir section 20 as shown by dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and 3. This means of attaching the base portion of the pump includes a pin 124 which extends through aligned apertures in integral formed and upwardly directed spaced lug-s of an anchor plate 125 with said base portion being assembled on said pin and between said lugs. The anchor plate 125 is attached to the bottom of the resenvoir section by means of cap screws 1-2'6 (FIGS. 1 and 3).

In opera-tion the rack 79 is caused to reciprocate in an obvious manner by means of the pitman 104 and its connection to the cam shaft 12 through the crank 108.

As the rack moves in an upwardlry direction a partial vacuum is formed within the tubular member and holes 1117 and 1 18 within the rack and oil from the reservoir then fills these voids by slightly compressing spring 115 and flowing around ball 1 16.

When the rack commences to move in a downward direction ball 111 6 immediately seats against hole 113- and the pressure to which the oil in the holes and tubular member is then subjected raises ball 122 in the ball check fitting 1211 permitting the oil to be forced therethrough and outwardly through hole 120' in the top of the rack. The pumped oil is then free to drain back to the reservoir section and in doing so comes into contact with the various driving elements Within the enclosed housing and provides them with a means of constant lubrication.

FIG. 2 clearly shows how the motion of the rack is transmitted to effect oscillation of the tape wheel 84. The teeth 78 in the rack are in meshing relation with the teeth in the spur gear 77 which is caused to oscillate as the raok .reciprocates. This oscillating motion is transmitted through hub 75 to spur gear 76 and thence to spur gear. 80 and its cylindrical extension 82 to which the tape wheel is attached.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number of ways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a loom having opposed flexible filling inserting m'e'mbers, wheels to which said flexible members are attached and by which they are alternately advanced and retracted, a driven shaft in said loom and means for oscillating said wheels in unison which comprises at each wheel an enclosed gear housing having an oil reservoir and a first gear member fixed for rotation with said wheel, a second gear member and cooperating rack disposed in driving relation with said first gear member, a crank mem ber fixed to the end of said driven shaft within said housing, a bracket element adjustably attached to said rack and a pitman interconnecting said crank and bracket and means for distributing of oil in said reservoir to the movable components Within said enclosed housing.

'2. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein a support bracket defining a yoke is fixedly positioned within said housing and includes bearing elements for supporting and guiding said gear members and rack during the performance of their intended function.

3. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said second geared member com-prises a pair f spac d and axially aligned spur gears one of which is in meshing relation with said first gear member and the other with said rack.

4. The mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the means for distribution of oil in said reservoir comprises a pump of the tubular ball-check type extending from said reservoir upwardly through said rack, whereby movement of the latter in one direction forces oil into said pump and movement in the opposite direction forces the captured oil outwardly from the top thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,888,956 6/1959 Fla'rnand et a1 139l22 FOREIGN PATENTS 697,413 9/ 1953 Great Britain.

HENR S. JAUDON, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A LOOM HAVING OPPOSED FLEXIBLE FILLING INSERTING MEMBERS, WHEELS TO WHICH SAID FLEXIBLE MEMBERS ARE ATTACHED AND BY WHICH THEY ARE ALTERNATELY ADVANCED AND RETRACTED, A DRIVEN SHAFT IN SAID LOOM AND MEANS FOR OSCILLATING SAID WHEELS IN UNISON WHICH COMPRISES AT EACH WHEEL AN ENCLOSED GEAR HOUSING HAVING AN OIL RESERVOIR AND A FIRST GEAR MEMBER FIXED FOR ROTATION WITH SAID WHEEL, A SECOND GEAR MEMBER AND COOPERATING RACK DISPOSED IN DRIVING RELATION WITH SAID FIRST GEAR MEMBER, A CRANK MEMBER FIXED TO HE END OF SAID DRIVEN SHAFT WITHIN SAID HOUSING, A BRACKET ELEMENT ADJUSTABLY ATTACHED TO SAID RACK AND A PITMAN INTERCONNECTING SAID CRANK AND BRACKET AND MEANS FOR DISTRIBUTING OF OIL IN SAID RESERVOIR TO THE MOVABLE COMPONENTS WITHIN SAID ENCLOSED HOUSING. 